Letter From Former President Of Israel

Yizhak Navon was born in Jerusalem on April 9, 1921 and served as the fifth president of Israel from April 19, 1978-May 5, 1983.

He studied Hebrew literature and Islamic culture at the Hebrew University. After his voluntary service for the Hagana in Jerusalem, he became an Israeli diplomat in Uruguay and Argentina.

During the years 1952 – 1963 he worked with David Ben-Gurion as his Diplomatic Secretary.

Yitzhak Navon is fluent in Hebrew, English, Arabic, Spanish and Ladino. In 1984 he was elected to the Knesset, becoming Minister of Education and Culture, and Deputy Prime Minister from 1984 to 1990. He remained in the Knesset until 1992, then left politics.

He served two terms as Chairman of the Neot Kedumim organization; from 1972 to April 1978 and again from June 1983 to present.

Himself a writer, his interest and involvement in the arts is formidable. He serves as Chairman of the Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance and of the National Authority for the Ladino Language.

We thank AFNK Board member Cantor Dr. Ramón Tasat for making the 2007 Benefit Concert such a success.